TAIP Newsletter Issue 17.

TAIP Newsletter - Issue 17

March 28, 2024

Get ready for exciting professional development opportunities with TAIP!

  1. Deepen your understanding of early childhood science at our April 20th workshop (limited spots; register early!).
  2. Connect with fellow educators and share your expertise during our May 17th Teacher Sharing Sessions on circle time and early literacy.
  3. We also want your input – take our short survey and help shape the future of TAIP! Plus, discover recent news from our member schools

幼児教育専門分野の勉強会やワークショップのチャンスをお見逃しなく！

  1. ‍‍4月20日（土）：「Science for the Early Childhood Classroom」ワークショップ 幼児教育の根幹である体験や遊びを通じた学びの質と理解を深めます。（定員になり次第、申し込み終了となります。お早めにお申し込みください！）
  2. 5月17日（金）：「先生向けの情報シェアリングセッション」 友達とのつながりを深め、サークルタイムと幼児のリテラシーに関する専門知識を共有し、学びを深めます。
  3. 【その他】 TAIPでは、さらなる活動拡大のために、皆さまの貴重なご意見を募集しています！ アンケートにご回答いただき、ご意見をお聞かせください。 また、メンバースクールやメンバー団体からの最新情報も随時配信していますので、お見逃しなく！

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Science Workshop for the Early Childhood Classroom - April 20

Join us on April 20, 2024, at Dandelion Montessori School in Minato-ku, Tokyo, for an immersive workshop to deepen your appreciation and understanding of science in the early childhood classroom.

Workshop Details:

  • Venue: Dandelion Montessori School
  • Address: 62-3, Azabu Mamiana-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0042
  • Speakers: Mariko Juds & Pete Juds
  • Date: April 20, 2024 (Saturday)
  • Time: 10:00-11:30
  • Fee: ¥2000
  • Number of participants: 12

Speakers: Pete and Mariko Juds, co-founders of the Montessori School of Tokyo and with decades of Montessori education experience, will lead our workshop. Drawing from their rich educational backgrounds and global contributions to teaching and learning, they'll share insights into fostering curiosity and hands-on learning in science.

Session Focus:

  • Introduce science principles tailored for early years education.
  • Illustrate a variety of science experiments and provide opportunities for teachers to engage in hands-on experimentation.

Registration:

This workshop has limited availability for 12 participants. We invite schools to sign up to secure one spot for the event. Registration will be open from April 3. We will contact all applicants with their status (confirmed or waitlist) shortly after closing registration. We will offer any open spots to schools on the waitlist.

Teacher Sharing Sessions - May 17

Grow your practice as an early childhood educator! Connect with colleagues, discover new strategies, and share your expertise during our Teacher Sharing Sessions on May 17, 2024. Similar to job-alike sessions, these sessions will be teacher-led and teacher-focused.

Session Details:‍

  • ‍Venue: Aoba-Japan International School (Meguro Campus)
  • ‍Address: 2-11-5 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042‍
  • Date: May 17, 2024 (Friday)‍
  • Time: 17:15-18:30, with an optional school tour from 18:40-19:00‍
  • Fee: Free‍
  • Capacity: 20 participants per topic

Registration Link:‍ May 17 Teaching Sharing Signup

Discussion Topics:

Participants can select one of the following topics for an in-depth discussion:

1. Circle Time

‍Explore strategies to enhance student interactions, share your favorite activities, and discuss managing transitions effectively.

Guiding questions:

  • How do you use circle time to foster social skills and peer interactions?
  • What are some of your favorite circle time activities that have worked well with your early years students?
  • How do you manage transitions between different activities during circle time?

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2. Literacy in the Early Years:

Discuss creating a literacy-rich environment, integrating literacy across your classroom, supporting emergent literacy skills, and engaging activities for early reading and writing development.

Guiding questions:

  • How have you created a literacy-rich environment in your early years classroom?
  • Can you share examples of how you integrate literacy elements into different areas of your classroom, beyond the traditional reading corner?
  • How do you support the development of emergent literacy skills, such as phonological awareness and print awareness, in your classroom?
  • What activities or games do you find effective in helping children develop early reading/writing skills?

We Want to Hear from You: TAIP General Survey

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting your professional growth, we are conducting a survey to better understand your needs and preferences for professional development. The information we collect will help us design training sessions that align with your interests and enhance your skills as an early years teacher.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey here: TAIP General Survey 2024

What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading? is a chance to let the TAIP community know about valuable books for early childhood educators.

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Today's book review is by Dr. John Adduru, Director of Records, TAIP and Director of Lighthouse International School. The book is Unmasking Autism: The Power of Embracing Our Hidden Neurodiversity by Devon Price.

About the Book:
Unmasking Autism: The Power of  Embracing our Hidden Neurodiversity” by Dr. Devon Price is a deep dive into the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masked Autism. The book gives individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity.

Dr. Price shares the personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence. The book highlights how many Autistic individuals hide their identifiable Autistic traits to fit in with societal norms, adopting a superficial personality at the expense of their mental health.

This work is a remarkable contribution to the neurodiversity movement, offering a fresh perspective on Autism and advocating for greater public acceptance and accommodation of difference.

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John’s Reflections:
“As an educator and therapist, this book has given me a new perspective on how to view children with neurodivergence. It has helped me to improve my skills in customizing education and developing an inclusive approach to teaching and learning."  

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